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Scotland Retreat: Glencoe

Scotland Retreat: Glencoe

From $ 1,515 AUD

Description

Escape to the Highlands on this four-day active Intrepid Retreats experience and fall in love with the wild, brutal beauty of Glencoe. Make yourself at home in a rustic, comfortable inn and make the most of the local produce on offer, whether on a special dinner or on a tasting at one of Scotland’s oldest whisky distilleries. The highlands are a haven for hikers and bikers, so cycle meandering roads past the forested flanks and deep blue waters of lochs, and climb hulking peaks whose shadows fall over the valley. You’ll soon understand why the glen’s beauty has drawn location scouts from throughout Hollywood, eager for a dramatic backdrop for the big screen.

Trip Name
Scotland Retreat: Glencoe
Last Updated
2020-12-09
Days
4
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Discover the flavours of the Highlands with a whisky tasting at one the oldest distilleries in Scotland.
  • Explore Loch Leven by bike and take in striking panoramas of the water and surrounding munros.
  • Walk through the history of the highlands in Fort William and Inverlochy, equipped with the insider knowledge of your local host.
  • Climb the Pap of Glencoe and be rewarded with some of the best views in the Central Highlands.
  • Wrap up your retreat with a special included dinner that makes the most of local produce.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It is important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. The order and timing of included activities in each location may also vary seasonally to ensure our travellers have the best experience. Your tour leader will keep you up to date with any such changes once on tour. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your leader know you are interested in the Group Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and leaders are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. MUSEUM VISITS & OPENING TIMES Please note that many sights, attractions and museums are closed on Mondays (and sometimes even Tuesdays). We recommend you carefully consider which sites and museums you are going to want to visit and that you do some research and make your reservations in advance where required/possible.

Day 1 - Loch Leven / Glencoe
Welcome to you Intrepid Retreat in Glencoe, your home for the next few days. Formed by volcanoes and carved by glaciers, Glencoe sits on the shores of Loch Leven, which feeds into Loch Linnie and out into the inner sea. Begin with a welcome meeting at 9 am, where you’ll meet your host and get an overview of the upcoming itinerary. Afterwards, head to a nearby bike shop to get fitted up for your first active adventure – cycling around Loch Leven (approximately 30 kilometres). Take in striking panoramas of the loch and look out at the burial island of Eilean Munde and nearby Eilean na Comhairle, where clans gathered to mediate local conflicts. The road is mostly quiet and you won’t find yourself puffing up long steep hills, but there’s a satisfying downhill stretch on one side. For a fresh snack along the way, on the north side you’ll find a seafood cafe stocked with produce straight from the local waters. If there’s time, drop into world’s largest indoor ice-climbing wall and see those practicing climbing with a pick. This evening, make the most of the warm atmosphere of a homely place to kick off your boots after an active day.
Day 2 - Fort William / Glencoe
Enjoy some free time this morning after breakfast. Relax or soak up the views on a walk around the village. Then head north up the side of Loch Linnie to Fort William. Take a look at the town’s namesake old fort and hear its history as part of the 17th-century Glencoe Massacre as you walk to the Old Inverlochy Castle. The fortress, on the banks of the river that feeds the loch, is on the site of possibly the oldest castle in Scotland. From here it’s not far to a whisky distillery that’s one of the oldest licensed distilleries in Scotland. Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the Isles, looms in the distance. Get an inside insight into what makes this region the home of some of the best whisky in the world with a tour and tasting led by a local expert. See if you can taste the notes of peat smoke, honey and heather from the moors. Let the fresh highland air revive you as you complete your circular walk back though Inverlochy, a village purpose built to house the workers of the nearby Lochaber aluminium smelter. Enjoy a free evening to enjoy highland hospitality and be sure to try some great local produce for dinner.
Day 3 - Sgorr na Ciche / Glencoe
Make sure you fill up with breakfast in the morning as today has a heady hike in store. Pull on your walking boots and head to the start of a trail that might not reach the physical heights of its neighbours, but definitely offers apex views. The Pap of Glencoe – in Scots Gaelic Sgorr na Ciche, the peak of the breast – presides over the village and despite its modest height there’s still a wild walk and a fair amount of up to traverse. But you’ll be rewarded with some of the best views in the Central Highlands. This is truly spectacular scenery that demands to be savoured. Light plays across the rippled valley flanks and silvery water as Loch Leven stretches out below, towards the undulating Mamores range and the long ridges of Beinn a’Bheithir running westward. Celebrate conquering the Pap today with a special included dinner tonight.
Day 4 - Glencoe
Your Intrepid Retreats experience of the Highlands comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Got a bit more time to spare? Maybe take the ultimate active challenge around this parts and scale Ben Nevis.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
15-04-202118-04-2021AUD $ 1,515-
03-05-202106-05-2021AUD $ 1,515-
27-05-202130-05-2021AUD $ 1,515-
07-06-202110-06-2021AUD $ 1,515-
24-06-202127-06-2021AUD $ 1,515-
05-07-202108-07-2021AUD $ 1,515-
15-07-202118-07-2021AUD $ 1,515-
26-07-202129-07-2021AUD $ 1,515-
12-08-202115-08-2021AUD $ 1,515-
23-08-202126-08-2021AUD $ 1,515-
06-09-202109-09-2021AUD $ 1,515-
16-09-202119-09-2021AUD $ 1,515-
27-09-202130-09-2021AUD $ 1,515-
11-10-202114-10-2021AUD $ 1,515-
21-10-202124-10-2021AUD $ 1,515-

Accommodation

Comfort style hotel (3 nights)

Transport

Taxi,Public bus

Map